May 12, 2004

Old Italian Masters: The Delphian Sibyl

Old Italian Masters: The Delphian Sibyl

1890

Timothy Cole

(American, 1852–1931)

after Michelangelo Buonarroti

(Italian, 1475–1564)

Wood engraving

Gift of Mrs. Walter H. Merriam 1932.598

Catalogue raisonné: Smith, 240

Location

Description

In the 1800s many artists were inspired by the Italian Renaissance, seeing in it the clarity and classical ideals they valued. Timothy Cole traveled to Europe in 1883 for a commission to engrave images after Italian Renaissance works for an audience in the United States. This wood engraving reproduces one of Michelangelo’s monumental sibyls from the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Cole was celebrated for working directly from the originals. For example, the fine point of the engraving tool allowed Cole to create detail such as the faint fissures running across the Delphian Sibyl’s face and left arm that mimic cracks in the fresco.

See also
Collection: 
PR - Wood engraving
Department: 
Prints
Type of artwork: 
Print

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email [email protected].

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.